Meter with cylinders parallel to the drive shaft



March 9, 1948. D. s. WILLSON METER WITH CYLINDERS PARALLEL TO THE DRIVE SHAFT Filed March 2, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Indemndads :11

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I METER WITH CYLINDER PARALLEL TO THE DRIVE SHAFT I Filed March 2, 1946 5 Shets-Sheet s 75 67, 72 71 alzzspzlqon, j w v flttor' March 9, 1948. D. s. WILLSON METER WITH CYLINDERS PARALLEL TO THE DRIVE SHAFT Filed March 2, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 4163f son,

March 9, 1948. D. s. WILLSON METER WITHYCYL INDERS PARALLEL TO THE DRIVE SHAFT Fiied Mar ch 2-, 1946 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 9, 1948 METER WITH oyLnimEns PARALLEL To THE DRIVE SHAFT David S. Willson, Muskegon Heights, Mich'., 'as- I slgnor to John Wood Manufacturing Company, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application March 2,- 1946, Serial No. 651,447

1 l My invention relates toimprovements in meters with cylinders parallel to the drive shaft of the positive displacement type which are particularly adaptable for use in dispensing apparatus which measures accurately the volume of fluid dispensed. My improved meter is also adaptable for other uses, such as for installation'in a pipeline to measure accurately the volume of fluid flowing under pressure through thepipeline, etc. '7

One object of my invention is to provide a fluid :meter which has a die cast-body and top cover of small overall dimensions, but which has the same Volumetric. metering capacity as a larger dimensional fluid meter constructed in the ordinary manner. 1

Another object of my invention isto provide a fluid meter which has a die cast body in'which the outlet ports are formed entirely around the top of the bearing column for the crank arm shaft. Another object of my'invention is to provide a fluid meter in which air contained therein resulting from an unprimed system is eliminated quickly when the full flow of liquid is established,

My inventionflincludes the various novel features of construction, arrangement; and method of operation as hereinafter described}. \1 i In said drawings: Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my improved meter. Fig, 2 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the lines 2-'2'in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, partly in ele-' vation, with the structureshown above the line XX being taken'on the line 3-'3. in Fig. 1, and the structure shown below the line X'X being taken on the line 3A3A in Fig. 1. T

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional'view taken on the line 4-4 in Fig. 1. i

Fig, 5 is a top plan view of .the meter'shown in Figs. 1 to 4, but with thetop cover removed. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the meter structure as shown in Fig. 5, but withthe scotch yoke, meter valve, and crankshaft removed to showthe positions and configurations iof'the valve'ports in the top of the main body casing. Fig. 7 is a top plan viewof the bottom closure oi'themeter. f I I Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the bottom closure shown in Fig. '7, and taken on the lines 88 in Fig, "I.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, partly in elevation, of the bottom .closureshown in Fig.7, and taken on the sameline of section as Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is an inverted bottom plan view of the main body casing of the meter shown in Fig. 3. Referring to said drawings; my improved meter is conveniently formed in three parts comprising a die cast top cover l, a die cast main body casing 2, and base portion, or bottom closure 3.

3 Claims. (01.121-119) which may also be die cast, if desired. Said top cover I is rigidly connected. to the body casing 2 by means of a circumferential series of screws 5 which extend through openings in the flange 6 of the top cover I into matching screw threaded holes 1 formed in the top wallof the body casing 2. A gasket 9 is interposed between the top cover I and the bodyv casing'Z in order to maintain said top I and body casing 2 in fluid tight relationship. The bottom closure 3 is rigidly connected to thebodyicasing 2 by means of a circumferential series of screws H] which extend through openings in the flange l2 of the body open communication with the inlet chamber I8 formed in the top cover I. The inlet connection It is adapted to be connected to a source'of fluid under pressure which'is measured as it passes through the meter. Forrexample, my improved meter may be; mountedj on' an air eliminator chamber. of a liquid dispensing apparatusv such as disclosed in Letters Patent of the United. States No. 2,351,331, granted to M. J. Goldberg; with the meter inlet. lfi disclose'd herein connected to the air eliminator outlet opening26 of said patent. The air vent connection. I disclosed herein would be substituted for the connection 39 of saidpatent. 1

I flnd itconvenient to form the valve seat 23 as a separate flat plate which. is integrally locked in the top wall 24 of the body casing 2 when said body casing 2 is .die cast. It is i'obvious that said valve seat may be formed otherwise, for example, as a part of, or connected to, the top wall 24 of thebody casing. Said val'veplate 23 is provided with a series of port openings 26 which are in registry with openings. 21 Tiorme'd in the top wall 24 of the body casing 2. The openings 21 are larger than the openings 26and, hence, theeffective port area conveniently is determined by the configuration and'area of theaccurately formed ports 26 in the valve plate 23. Each port '26 is.

same

Although I have illustrated my invention with reference to a 4-piston cylinder type of meter, it is, obvious that the number of piston"cylindersusedi is optional; and although I have shown 'an'ddscribed the piston cylinders'28-in: screw threaded engagement in the top of the body casing 2 it' is' obvious that said cylindersni'ay be coii-heated otherwise.

As best shown in Fig. 8, each 'Qfjth QYlinders 1 28 is provided witha piston assembly 35 which'is mounted in a cylinder 28 for reciprocation in-response to the fluid pressure on top of the piston. Each piston assembly35includes a telescopic connecting rod 36 provided at-its lowermost end"; as viewed in Fig. 3; with a'ballend 31. which is mounted and confinedin -a 'socket 3.8fformed in the Wabble' plate 39; The connecting rodaball end 3'! is retainedin'its. socket 38 conveniently bymeans of a washer 38% which isafastened to the wabble plate by. any well: known-:means, such as by providing'thewasher with earswhich extend through holes in the wabbl'e plate, with the ears clinched over on the under side: of the wabbleplate. The telescopic piston rod herein shown is, claimed' in my. cope'nding application SerialgNo: 584,720, filed March 24, 1945, for improvementrin connecting rods. Although I haveshQWn' the sockets 38 formed as an-integral part'of the wabble plate 39; it is obviousthatsaidasockets may be formed as. separate stampings; inserted into openings formed in said wabble plate, as is well; known: in the art.

Each piston'assembly. fiiincludes: a :cup leather All; piston. backing? plate; II, intermediate plate 42, piston spring retainer. plate 43; and. piston expander spring 45; Eacmpiston assembly 35; is mounted on. the screw; threaded-reduced portion 41 of its-pistnrod 36. andimaintained-in rigid positionz-onits. piston rod -36 -bymeansof a nut 48. The piston assembly.- shown and: described is of" a well known. construction wherein :a piston expander spring is: adapted to maintain the upturned edge'oi the cup leatherin continuous frictional' engagement. with" the side wallof the cyl inder 28.- l

The, web 50.0f the: wabble'aplate, Sa ls-formed conveniently as aspiderand -includes a series of openings in spaced. relation to the series-oisockets 38 I which: are 1 formed -in--enlarged portions in the spiderarmswf the wabblewplate 39' as best shown in Fig. 11. Said openings aree'formed in the wabble: plate merely toslessensethe-L weight thereof; The wabbleiplaterl39 isiprovided2with the socket 52.,andsaidwabble plate 39 is-.concentrically. mountedrine the .chamber 30 on. the hemi spherically 1 shared ball end 53eof-the adjusting screw 54;;

As best shown in Figs. 3;:7'; and-:8; rotation of the wabble plate as is :prevented; by: means of'sa series of stabilizingguide pins.55::which.are,adapt= edto be engaged and disengaged in their. respective notched openings formedtinythe. outer periph cry of the wabble plate; 3. The wabble, plate constructionshown: and: described. herein is claimed inmy cospending divisional application Serial No. 753,527, filed'June9;-1947:

The adjusting screws-54; isengaged in' the screw threaded opening 60 formed-fin thesupport bracket (iI- which isv rigidlycmountedmn the shoulder 62, formed as an integral part-of the bottom; closure-B, by meansof cap screws 65. The lower end of the; adjustingrscrewrfill is providedvwith the gear-66in rigid relationshiptherewith The gear 66 is in engagement with the'worm fi'lrigidly fixed to, or formed on, the adjusting shaft (9. Although I'have shown a gear and worm gear as the driving connection because a finer calibration adju'stment maybeeffected therewith, it is obvious that 'other forms of gears, such as bevelled gears, may-beiused'.

As best shownin Fig. 3; the wabble plate 39 isprovided with-the drive stem shaft 95 which is journalled in the drilled opening 95 formed in the driving-block assembly 91 of the crank arm drivingblock assembly. Said driving block assembly 91 is mounted with freedom of pivotal movement on the crank arm pin 93, the opposite ends of which. are helda'in the 'bifu'rcated' crank arms -99 (only'one-ofwhich is shown' 'in'Fig. 3) formed 'on thecrank arm I 09" rigidly connected to the lower end; ofzthe crank shaft IIJI Said pinv 98: extends through. an: elongated opening formed insaid driving block. 91:; and, accordingly, said; driving block 91 is thus mounted with freedom of both pivotal andsreciprocatory -movement in its slidingengagement within the bifurcated crank arms 99: Reciprocatorymovem'ent of the driving block 9-! isilimited by. the pin ss coming intorengagement with either end of the elongated opening; in thedriving; block; The driving block 91 is provided, with: the spring I 02 held between the inner cup washer I 03, in engagement with thQ'BIldSOfthG bifurcated crank-arms 99;"an'd the outenwashen I04 :rigidlymounted on the: righthand end; of the; drivingblockyB'I by-means of a screw. Such a construction :placesaaloading on 5 the w-abble plate stem shaft 95 substantiallyht right-angles tor the axisof i said stem shaft" 95, withthe result that" all: of the forces: of "the spring I02 act tohold-thewabble plate 39 on the Wabble plate track IBE-formed on the upper side? of. the bottom-closure:3,-as :viewedpin Fig. 3;

The wabble;-plate 39. is provided with the spring I08, the lower end ofrwhich 'encirclesan: ofis'et formed at the top of the wabble plate 39. The upper end: of saidx'spring. I03 isin engagement withithe-wabble plate bearing washer I09; The thrust washer I I0 is interposed between the 'wabble plate bearing washer I09 andth'e bottom surface of the'bifurcated-arms 99. Said thrust washer I In isprovided wit'h an upturned-portion which is engagedlwith freedom-of1movement between the bifurcated arms '99, as -best shown in' Fig." 3. The crank arm and driving block assembly herein described is claimed in my 'copending application Serial No. 601,180,,filedJune 23, 1945:

The crank-"arm. I IlJIl-is 1 rigidly connected to the reduced lowerrend portion of theicrank arm IIlI by meansof thenut II2.'.. Said {crank arm Nil-"is journalled inthrust bearings 'I I3 and H5 which arepress fitted inthe openingI I8 of the central hub bearing II'!;.which is'formed as an integral part' of the 'maini body.vv casingi 2; As shown in Fig. 4, the crank shaft II is provided'at its-upper: end; in integral relationship therewith, with the crank arm l2flsandicrank pin I2 I The'crank shaft IOI rotates? in -a--clo.ckwlse directioni -as viewed in- Figs. .1 and 5,"-andit' is: tobe notedthat the cranksarm I llnl'is fastenedto said-crankshaft IIlI sothat'the armstfl are in--a positionsub stantially clockwise from th crank pin I2! which drives; the. meter-valve .I 22'.

As, best shown .in Fig. .4, a the -crank pin I Z I is journalled in' the bearing I23 :formed; in the imperforate inner section I25 cf-the=va1ve I22i The friction thrust washer. I ZB -is' mOunted on the pin I 2 h and interposed'between thevcranK ar-m I 2 I] an the bearingsuriace oi theinner section I259"; As best shown in Fig. 4-the valve iseomprised oi the solid outer valve portion I22 and the imperiorate inner portion I25. '4'

When the meter is operating under liquidpressure, the outer valve section I 22 is presseddownwarclly by a series of springs I40 positionedbetween the outer valve section I22 andthe inner section I25, as best shown in Fig. 1, so thatthe valve seating surface I225seats on the valve seat 23. When' the meter is standingidle, the upward stress against the inner section I25is transmitted through the thrust washer I38, the upper surface of which'bears against thedrive shaft arm I56, which in turn may push the drive shaft I58 upwardlyslightly until the upper surface of the drive shaft arm I56 comes into contact with the lower surface of the bearing I59, Thus, it will be noted that the vertical spaced relationship of the outer valve section I22 and the inner valve section I25 is maintained. The meter valve shown and-described herein is claimed in my co-pending divisional application Serial No. 753,528, filed Junei), 1947. a V

The chamber I42,-formed-of the annular recess in the valve section I22 and closed at the top by the inner valve section I25, is in continuous open communication r with the chamber 30 through the outlet ports- I43 form ed in the valve plate 23. Saidoutlet ports .-I43 are in registry withthe outlet ports-I45 formed around the bearing hub II1 by the hub support ribs I46 which areconveniently formed as an integral'part of said hub- II1. As best shown in the inverted plan view Fig. 10, the outer ends of the ribs I46 arebifurcated and arcuate concentrically with the cup cylinders 28, it is to be noted that the ribs I46 are formed on radii running on a line from the axis of the bearing hub II1 to the center of the cup cylinders 28 and, hence, afiord a maximum outlet port area, and the entire outlet mits of a minimumuse of materials in a design suitable for die casting. As. best shown in Fig. 3, the upper ends of said ribs I46 are provided with the notchediportions I50 to facilitate theiflow of fluid from the chamber I42 through the outlet ports I45.

Asbest'shown in Fig. 4, the projection I55, 01 the inner valve section I25, in which the bearing I23 is formed for the pin I2I, forms the driving pin for the drive shaft arm I56 which is rigidly fastened by means of a tapered pin I51 to the lower end of the drive shaft I58. Said drive shaft. I58 is adapted tobe connected at its upper end, by any convenient means, to a recording mechanism whichregisters the volume of fluid passed by the meter.

Said valve is provided with a parallel motion mechanism, or scotch yoke, to maintain parallel at all times each other straight side of the valve section I22 with the outer straight side of the respective valve port26 controlled. The movementof the valve is restricted to a predetermined path of ,travel, .as hereinafter; described, b the valve yoke I.1 I ,co-acting withthe lugs I10 and because the pathormovement of the arms I12 is limited by the guide brackets I15 in which said arms I12 are mounted.

-' The oppositely extending arms I 12 or! the valve yoke "I are respectively mounted in the guide brackets I15 which are rigidly fastened, by means of a series out screws I16, to the top wall 24 of the body casing 2. In View of the fact that the arms I12 of the yoke I1I are held insliding engagement in the guide channels I11 of the fixed brackets I15, movement of the yoke I1I is limited to a horizontal movement on an axis coincidin with the lines, 3-3 in Fig. 1. As movement of said yoke I1I- is thus limited, movement of the valve (effected by the crank pin I2l journall'ed in the bearing I23 of the projection I55) is limited to a path of travel in which each outer straight side of the valve section I22 is at all times parallel to the outer straightside of its respective controlled valve port opening 26.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the chamber 30 is in opencommunication with the outlet passageway I formed in the bottom closure 3. Said outl'et passageway I80 is in open communication with the outlet passageway I8I formed in the body casing 2, the outlet passageway I82 formed in the top cover I, and the passageway I83 formed in the meter outlet cap I84. The meter outlet cap I84 is secured to the top of the top cover by means of a series of screws I86, one of which is shown in Fig.2. Theoutlet passageway I83 is adapted to be connected to a conduit through which the fluid passed by the meter is dispensed. As best shown in Fig, 2, the outletpassageway I8I is in restricted open communication with the chamber 30 through the communicating passageway I81 stormed in the wall at the topv of the chamber 30. Communication between the topoi said outlet passageway I8I and'theto p of the chamber 30 is, desirable to carry off any air with the outgoing liquid, so as to displace quickly all of the air in the meter body when it is placed in service. If it were not for such communication between the outlet passageway I8I and the chamber 30,- a certain amount of air woud be entrapped between the cylinder cups 28 and the body casing2 for a considerable period of time before such air would be absorbed by the liquid. Entrapment of air would be objectionable because of alternate compression and expansion of such air during operation of the meter, depending upon the time elapsing between the closing of the dispensing nozzle valve in consecutive deliveries, and such alternate compression and reexpansion of air would result in variations in the recorded delivery of the meter. 3

Operation 7 Assuming the meter to be completely filled with liquid as installed in a conventional type gasoline pump, such as is disclosed in Letters Patent No. 2,351,331 granted June 13, 1944, to M. J. Goldberg, the meter inlet connect-ion I6 is connected tothe outlet of the air eliminator and, with liquid being dispensed through the meter, the liquid under pressure flows into the opening I6, and up the inlet passageway I1 to the inlet chamber I8 formed atthe top cover I. With the meter valve in the position shown in Fig. 4, the valve has moved to open the inlet port 26 to the right-hand cylinder 28 and fluid under pressure from the chamber I8 moves the piston assembly 35in that cylinder downwardly. The inlet port 26 .for the left-hand cylinder 28 is within the chamber I42 and, hence, fluid within the lefthand cylinder 28 is in the process of being discharged from that cylinder upwardly through the port opening 26 and through the outlet ports I45,

formed around the bearing hub H T, to the outlet chamber 30 of the main body casing 22- 1 The liquid under pressure from-the chamber I8 enteringthrough the port 26 to the cylinder 28 at the right forces the piston assembly 35 in: that cylinder downwardly, and such downward 'movement causes the wabble plate to nutate, thus causing the crank-shaft" IIJI to revolve clock-wise. Rotation of the wabble plate isi prevented by the notched openings 55 in the outer'periphery orth'e wabble plate engaging and disengagingtheconi cal bearing surfaces of the series of stabilizing guide pins 55 rigidly mounted in the bottornclosure 3. Accordingly; movement of the wabble plate is limited to a nutating rnovement.

Clockwise movement of the crankshaft IUI moves the meter valve, including the outer valve section I22 and inner valve section I 25', clockwise. As the meter valve is rotated clockwise; the inlet ports 26 to the various cylinders 28" are opened and closed, with the liquid beingdischarged from the cylinders 28' through the outlet ports I45 on the 'upwar'dstrokes of the pistons.

As the meter operates; liquid is forced. downwardly in the chamber .30 and to the outlet passageway I80, formed in the bottom closure 3 and thence through the outlet passageway I81 formed in thebody casing 2, the outlet passageway I82 tormed in the top cover I and the'outlet'pass'a'geway I83 formed'in themete'routlet 024) I84 toa conduit which, in a liquid dispensing apparatus; is connected to the valve controlled dispensing nozzle of such apparatus.

It is tobe noted that since the meter shown and described herein has'four' istons, thiemeter construction shown could not stop on a so-called deadcenter as would be possible ina two cylinder single acting structure;

Since the valve I22 is provided with parallel motion mechanism, including the yoke I'll, etc.-, heretofore described, each outer straight line ofthe valve section I22 is maintained parallel at all times with the outer straight line of the re- .spective valve portopenin'g 26, as-may be observed from the drawings. Thus, when a port 26 is being opened to afford communication between the inlet chamber I8 to the cyllnder'2 8, said port will be opened the entire length of theouter straight side of the port and to a larger area than would be possible in meters-of the prior art provided with the conventional rotary type of valves. This is true even with the initial opening movement of the valve-section I22.

correspondingly, a relatively large area of the port opening 26 will continue to be open as the valve I22 approaches its closure point across. a port 26 when communicationbetween the inlet chamber I8 and cylinder 28-is being shutoff. The inner circular valving edge portion I22 formed in the outer valve section I22 has-sub-' stantially the same radius as the segments ofv circles forming the curvilinear inner surface of a port 26. Because of such configuration, when the port 26 is serving as the passageway from the cylinder 28 to the chamber I42 (and thence to the meter outlet passageway) one curvilinear line comprising nearly half: the length-of the: port 26 will open asthe circularvalveportionqffl of the valve I22 passes over the edge-"ofthe port 26, and a relatively large area is quickly opened to the outlet passageways. When the-valve I22 is approaching the closurepointon apo'rtIB: as liquidis beingldischarged from ascylinder 28 8 to the chamber "I42 the other curvilinear portion of'the' inner edge oftheport 26 maintains, until complete closure, a larger area of port-opening than would be possible in the conventional rotarytype meter valves-of the prior art.

Accordingly, my improved construction results in a greater average valve opening throughout the stroke of the piston 35 on both its inlet cycle and'its outlet cycle, and reduces th'efluid' pres-- sure lossin the-meterrequired for its operation. Such'condition' results in a corresponding increase inaccuracy and long life of my improved'meter.

It" is to be noted that the entire outlet flow of fluid from the cylinders 28 passes downwardly through the outlet ports- I formed around the hub bearing I". It is only possible to provide outlet ports I45 of sufiicient' area around the bearing hub II I by forming the bearinghub supporting ribs M6 on radii which run from the axis of the bearing hub II! to the center ofthe cupcylinders-I281 As may be observed from Fig-L 6, the outlet port area would be materially reduced if the ribs Mfi'were formed other thanon radii running from the axis of the bearing hub to the center of-the cup cylinders.

It: is obvious that various modifications may be made'in my invention without departing from the essential features thereof as defined in the appended claims and, therefore; I do not wish tolimit myself'to the precise details of construction and arrangement hereinset forth.

1". A meter body comprisinga casing; a' plurality'of piston cylinders, a hub bearing; for a meter crankshaft, a plurality of radial ribs, extending from said hub bearing on radii running fromthe axis of said hub bearing to the centers of said piston cylinders and forming outlet ports around 's'aid hub bearing, and bifurcated arcuate arms at'the outer ends of said ribs encompassing saidpiston cylinders.

2. Aniintegral meter body comprising a casing, alplurality of piston cylinders, a. central hub bearing for a meter crankshaft, a plurality of radialribs extending from said central hubbearing. on radii runningfrom the axis of. said cen-- tral hub bearing: to. the centers of said. piston cylinders and forming outlet ports around. said hub: bearing, and'bifurcate'diarcuate arms at the:

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of recordinthe-- file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PA'IEN'I'S 7 Number Name Date 132999177- Kendall Apr. 8 1919 2,134,277 Sproul et a1 Oct. 25, 1938 2,237,518 Blum c Apr. 8, I941 

